Tag Archives: trope

Erotema

Posted on June 10, 2010 | Leave a comment

Erotema (e-ro-tem’-a): The rhetorical question. To affirm or deny a point strongly by asking it as a question. Generally, as Melanchthon has noted, the rhetorical question includes an emotional dimension, expressing wonder, indignation, sarcasm, etc.

Improve the safety standards for offshore drilling? Take the caps off of fines and damages in order to compensate for future catastrophes? Do these measures really get to the heart of the problem? Wouldn’t it be better to ban offshore drilling altogether as an incentive to develop cleaner energy sources? Why not turn the offshore oil rigs into wind farms?

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Epitrope

Posted on June 9, 2010 | Leave a comment

Epitrope (e-pi’-tro-pe): A figure in which one turns things over to one’s hearers, either pathetically, ironically, or in such a way as to suggest a proof of something without having to state it. Epitrope often takes the form of granting permission (hence its Latin name, permissio), submitting something for consideration, or simply referring to the abilities of the audience to supply the meaning that the speaker passes over (hence Puttenham’s term, figure of reference). Epitrope can be either biting in its irony, or flattering in its deference.

A specific form of epitrope is the (apparent) admission of what is wrong in order to carry our point.

Go ahead–give them permission to drill all the offshore oil wells they want to. Nobody will care. Nobody will protest. Nobody will try to have you thrown out of office. Go ahead!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Coenotes

Posted on June 8, 2010 | Leave a comment

Coenotes (cee’-no-tees): Repetition of two different phrases: one at the beginning and the other at the end of successive paragraphs. Note: Composed of anaphora and epistrophe, coenotes is simply a more specific kind of symploce (the repetition of phrases, not merely words).

When will we get a new cell phone? When it has all the features we actually need.  And, it does not cost an arm and a leg.

When will we get a new cell phone? When there’s enough coverage to enable us to call from anywhere to anywhere.  And, it does not cost an arm and a leg.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Kategoria

Posted on June 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

Kategoria (ka-te-go’-ri-a): Opening the secret wickedness of one’s adversary before his [or her] face.

I had you followed last night. You weren’t at your office until 2:00 a.m. You were at Motel California with our next door neighbor. I can’t live with a cheating liar. I hired an attorney this morning. I’m moving out. I’m taking the cat with me.  I’m divorcing you. Give my regards to Sleazo.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.

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Epitasis

Posted on June 6, 2010 | Leave a comment

Epitasis (e-pit’-a-sis): The addition of a concluding sentence that merely emphasizes what has already been stated. A kind of amplification. [The opposite of anesis.]

I can’t believe how long it’s been since we’ve had some time to ourselves. Alone at last!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.

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Tricolon

Posted on June 4, 2010 | Leave a comment

Tricolon (tri-co-lon): Three parallel elements of the same length occurring together in a series.

You drill.  You spill.  You kill.

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Chiasmus

Posted on May 11, 2010 | Leave a comment

Chiasmus (ki-az’-mus): 1. Repetition of ideas in inverted order.  2. Repetition of grammatical structures in inverted order (not to be mistaken with antimetabole, in which identical words are repeated and inverted).

1. I took a new shortcut to school. Yes, an abbreviated and novel route took me to campus.

2. It is painful to be blamed. To be praised is joyful.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Paralipsis

Posted on May 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

Paralipsis (par-a-lip’-sis): Stating and drawing attention to something in the very act of pretending to pass it over (see also cataphasis). A kind of irony.

I’m not going to say anything about your constant nose picking at the dinner table, but there are things that people do in public that are impolite, uncouth, and disgusting.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Asyndeton

Posted on April 25, 2010 | Leave a comment

Asyndeton (a-syn’-de-ton): The omission of conjunctions between clauses, often resulting in a hurried rhythm or vehement effect. [Compare brachylogia. Opposite of polysyndeton.]

The car was low slung, loudly rumbling, ready to race.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.

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Repotia

Posted on April 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

Repotia (re-po’-ti-a): 1. The repetition of a phrase with slight differences in style, diction, tone, etc. 2. A discourse celebrating a wedding feast.

1. A. Every time  you smile at me I feel the warmth of your love touching my soul.

1. B. Every time you smile at me I feel the pulse of your love pounding in my chest.

2. Now you are married. But, your course through life together to this point can’t and won’t be forgotten: How you first met. How you formed a faith together in the future of your dream: to love, to grow, to share with us, and to be bound by the promises you made here today. Your vows have made you whole and your vows have made you free. They teach us all how good it is to be your witness: to testify to the power of love as we embrace your hope and promise to do everything we can, along with you, to make your hope and love your life’s destiny.

So, here’s to you our friends: To your love! To your marriage! May the spirit of today visit you every day all the days of your life!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Epitasis

Posted on March 9, 2010 | Leave a comment

Epitasis (e-pit’-a-sis): The addition of a concluding sentence that merely emphasizes what has already been stated. A kind of amplification. Opposite of anesis.

I think you’re obnoxious. You’re totally inappropriate.

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Definition courtesy of Silva Rhetoricae (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Abating

Posted on March 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

Abating: English term for anesis: adding a concluding sentence that diminishes the effect of what has been said previously. The opposite of epitasis (the addition of a concluding sentence that merely emphasizes what has already been stated. A kind of amplification).

Your new house is beautiful! Too bad it’s right next to the freeway.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Aschematiston

Posted on June 19, 2008 | Leave a comment

Aschematiston: The use of plain, unadorned or unornamented language. Or, the unskilled use of figurative language. A vice. [Outside of any particular context of use or sense of its motive, it may be difficult to determine what’s “plain, unadorned or unornamented language.” The same is true of the “unskilled use of figurative language.”]

1. I am.

2. It’s time to put the brakes on that tomato–it’s permeating my mind like a frozen pants suit.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.

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Articulus

Posted on June 9, 2008 | Leave a comment

Articulus (ar-tic’-u-lus): Roughly equivalent to “phrase” in English, except that the emphasis is on joining several phrases (or words) successively without any conjunctions (in which case articulus is simply synonymous with the Greek term asyndeton). See also brachylogia.

Articulus is also best understood in terms of differing speeds of style that depend upon the length of the elements of a sentence. The Ad Herennium author contrasts the the slower speed of concatenated membra (see membrum) to the quicker speed possible via articulus.

My yard is big, gigantic, huge! I need some sheep to keep it clipped.

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Definition and commentary courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Ennoia

Posted on May 28, 2008 | Leave a comment

Ennoia (en-no’-i-a): A kind of purposeful holding back of information that nevertheless hints at what is meant. A kind of circuitous speaking.

Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Antenantiosis

Posted on April 23, 2008 | Leave a comment

Antenantiosis: (an’-ten-an’-ti-os’-is): See litotes. (Deliberate understatement, especially when expressing a thought by denying its opposite. The Ad Herennium author suggests litotes as a means of expressing modesty [downplaying one’s accomplishments] in order to gain the audience’s favor [establishing ethos]).

So I swam across the English Channel in a business suit–it’s not like I walked across!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Skotison

Posted on March 28, 2008 | Leave a comment

Skotison (sko’-ti-son): Purposeful obscurity.

This is not the usual thing they would try in those situations. Get my drift?

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Apodixis

Posted on March 14, 2008 | Leave a comment

Apodixis (a-po-dix’-is): Proving a statement by referring to common knowledge or general experience.

I did not take your camera!  I just bought a brand new one that’s actually better than yours. Why would I even want yours, let alone, take it? Give me a break.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Scesis Onomaton

Posted on March 10, 2008 | Leave a comment

Scesis Onomaton (ske’-sis-o-no’-ma-ton): 1. A sentence constructed only of nouns and adjectives (typically in a regular pattern).  2. A series of successive, synonymous expressions.

1. Truthful, honest, straightforward friends!

2. This road is long.  This road is wide.  This road is narrow.  This road leads  everywhere.  And we’ve been on this road–we’ve been riding this road–we’ve been walking this road–we’ve been traveling this road.  And we’re taking our message of hope wherever it leads us–to the large houses, to the farm houses, to the apartment houses, to the cabins, and the condos, the mobile homes and the developments–big and small–to the homes of the free and the homes of the brave, to the tired hungry undaunted souls on the streets and under the overpasses.  To all of you: The future is wide open. Change is on the road. Change is headed for Washington, D.C. Hope is moving to the White House!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Paroemion

Posted on March 1, 2008 | Leave a comment

Paroemion (par-mi’-on): Alliteration taken to an extreme where nearly every word in a sentence begins with the same consonant. Sometimes, simply a synonym for alliteration or for homoeoprophoron [a stylistic vice].

The delicious doughnut drew delicate designs, drizzling delectable damson drops down Dave’s duck-down vest. “Darn!” Dave declared dragging his dripping dukes across the dreadfully delightful disaster.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.

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Orcos

Posted on February 24, 2008 | Leave a comment

Orcos (or’-kos): Swearing that a statement is true.

I stand by that document. What it says is true. I give you my word it is true–it is factual. But that’s not enough–find out for yourselves. Read what I read–the official statement of their policy–and draw your own conclusions.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Syntheton

Posted on February 22, 2008 | Leave a comment

Syntheton (sin’-the-ton): When by convention two words are joined by a conjunction for emphasis.

Time and effort. Truth and justice. Nothing worth doing or having comes easy. Let’s remember this as we move ahead to make a better future.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Prodiorthosis

Posted on February 20, 2008 | Leave a comment

Prodiorthosis (pro-di-or-tho’-sis): A statement intended to prepare one’s audience for something shocking or offensive. An extreme example of protherapeia.

Given last week’s tragic events, please be advised that what I’m about to show you and tell you will be deeply disturbing–it may even sicken you. However, given our sworn duty and obligation to serve the people, we must examine all the evidence and know all the facts.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Intimation

Posted on February 16, 2008 | Leave a comment

Intimation: Hinting at a meaning but not stating it explicitly.

Well, this isn’t exactly our worst effort to date.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Protrope

Posted on February 15, 2008 | Leave a comment

Protrope (pro-tro’-pe): A call to action, often by using threats or promises.

If you pass this legislation, I promise you the world will be a safer place.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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